Tony Nicklinson, who suffers with locked-in syndrome, has welcomed a ruling
allowing him to ask courts to declare that a doctor can end the "indignity
and misery" of his life.

Mr Nicklinson, 57, had a stroke in 2005 during a business trip to Athens, Greece, and is only able to communicate by blinking using an Eye Blink Computer.

Mr Justice Charles said in his ruling that the circumstances of his situation “evoke deepest sympathy”.

In a statement to the court, Mr Nicklinson, from Melksham, Wilts, said he was “fed up” with his life and not grateful to the Greek doctors who saved him.

“I need help in almost every aspect of my life,” he said.

Calling for his right to choose when and how to die, Mr Nicklinson added: “If I am lucky I will acquire a life-threatening illness such as cancer so that I can refuse treatment and say no to those who would keep me alive against my will.”

A five-day hearing will take place later this year and is expected to include evidence from practices in the Netherlands, where euthanasia is legal.

Afterwards, Mr Nicklinson, who has two daughters, Lauren, 24, and Beth, 22, said: "This is good news indeed. I am delighted that we can now move on to discuss the pertinent issues properly in a dispassionate court of law instead of the emotionally charged glare of the media."

Speaking from the family home, Mr Nicklinson's wife Jane, a former nurse, said: "It is a huge boost for us both. Everyday is the same.

"He does not like going out anywhere, not because he does not want people to see him, but because he says there is no enjoyment just sat there watching life go by.

"He spends all day on his computer and every evening watching television. I think the only thing he gets any real enjoyment out of is watching his rugby."

Mrs Nicklinson later read out a statement from her husband on BBC Radio 5 Live.

It said: "I'm delighted that the issues surrounding assisted dying are to be aired in court. Politicians and others can hardly complain with the courts providing the forum for debate if the politicians continue to ignore one of the most important topics facing our society today.

"It's no longer acceptable for 21st century medicine to be governed by 20th century attitudes to death."

Saimo Chahal, Tony Nicklinson’s solicitor added: “This is a very good result for Tony. It would be completely wrong if the arguments on Tony’s behalf could not be fully argued on the grounds that we should wait for Parliament to change the law.”

Before the ruling, Mrs Nicklinson said her husband's life was “unbearable”.

"The only way to relieve Tony's suffering will be to kill him. There is absolutely nothing else that can be done for him," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

She said there had been a “huge amount” of public support for his case, which will also hear from Care Not Killing, a group that opposes euthanasia.

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying said: "Whilst Dignity in Dying would not support a change in the law to allow voluntary euthanasia (direct ending of life) by doctors or others, we think this is an important case which should be given a fair hearing in court.

"Dignity in Dying would like to see a law which allows terminally ill, mentally competent adults the choice of an assisted death.

"This law would not apply to Mr Nicklinson, as he is severely disabled but not terminally ill.

"In cases which fall outside of the framework of assisted dying, the law should be equipped to react with compassion and flexibility so that sentencing can reflect the motivation for the crime and circumstances."